Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Insomniac Games

PUBLISHER: Sony

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

 

Modern shooters are too serious. Every story where the protagonist has to save the universe is filled with doom and gloom. That's why "Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time" is so refreshing, as players get to laugh and blast their way through an intergalactic saga where the evil despot is as humorous as the bumbling Captain Quark.

Wrapping up the story line from the previous two "Future" titles, "A Crack in Time" follows Ratchet as he desperately searches for his metallic sidekick, Clank. Meanwhile, Clank is held prisoner in The Great Clock and must figure out how to escape. Throughout the adventure, both heroes discover secrets from their own past and must make a serious decision about their long-standing partnership.

Players get to control Ratchet as he roams freely around several different large planets that offer a diverse array of environments. New gadgets are also available, like speedy hoverboots that let him glide along surfaces and even jump to otherwise inaccessible areas. On top of that, several of the wacky weapons the series is known for are back, with new additions like the Cryo-Bomb Glove and Plasma Striker. Thankfully, players can still create makeshift dance parties by tossing out the Groovitron, which makes enemies spontaneously bust-a-move or two.

Ratchet can also explore different galaxies with his trusty spaceship. Not only do budding space navigators get to blast enemy ships in these open-ended areas, but they can also pick up extra missions and explore small planets to find bonus items.

This time around, Clank gets much more playtime. While he doesn't run around blasting enemies on sight, he does have to navigate some interesting time puzzles that provide a completely new experience. He also has some great platforming sequences and uses a magic staff to repair objects.

Sporting gorgeous visuals, humorous characters, excellent game play and an intriguing story line, "Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time" is easily the best in the series.

 

Make a Run For the 'Borderlands'

 

DEVELOPER: Gearbox Software

PUBLISHER: 2K Games

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

 

Over the last few years, many established gaming genres have been "cross-breeding" to provide gamers with new experiences.

With the unusual FPS "Borderlands," the developers claim "the shooter and RPG made a baby." But just like most infants, this "love child" inherits more traits from one parent than another, so a more accurate description would be that it's an exciting shooter with heavy RPG elements.

Players are introduced to the planet Pandora and, after a brief tutorial, are immediately set off to explore the wasteland. With small outposts scattered about as well as bandits and deadly creatures around every corner, this barren planet is reminiscent of the Wild West. Promising fortune hunters must undertake a quest to find The Vault, which is a hidden area rumored to be filled with treasure.

Four classes are available from the beginning that all play very differently. Roland is a skilled Soldier adept with shotguns and rifles, Lilith is a nimble Siren who can use stealth, Mordecai the Hunter favors the sniper rifle and has a pet bird of prey, while Brick the Berserker prefers using his fists. Each class has a skill tree where players can customize their abilities with every new level, which can dramatically change their play style.

More RPG goodness comes in the form of randomly generated weapons that can have very unusual benefits. Want to use a shotgun that fires explosive rounds or a sniper rifle that poisons the enemy? It's in there. With over 100,000 possible combinations, players are bound to find several weapons they like.

Unfortunately, many of the missions in this open-world game are very similar, which gets old quickly. I would also like to see more variety in vehicles and have them control better. Mapping the vehicle turn ability to the same analog stick as the camera turn makes driving very disorienting, and there is no way to change vehicle controls.

Playing "Borderlands" alone is fun, but the game shines when friends join in co-op mode. The game gets harder and the loot drops are better. Just make sure to play with friends, or you'll end up fighting over the awesome rewards.

 

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Very Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

 

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

 

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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